Nov 1, 2007 10:50 AM

Greg - Hope your're feeling better/healed soon. Just remember to take it nice and easy once you're able to get back on the road/dirt.

Here's a joke for ya'llto get the month started:

The other night I was invited out for a night with "the girls." I told my husband that I would be home by midnight, "I promise!" Well, the hours passed and the margaritas went down way too easy. Around 3 a.m., a bit blitzed, I headed for home. Just as I got in the door, the cuckoo clock in the hall started up and cuckooed 3 times. Quickly, realizing my husband would probably wake up, I cuckooed another 9 times. I was really proud of myself for coming up with such a quick-witted solution (even when totally smashed), in order to escape a possible conflict with him.

The next morning my husband asked me what time I got in, and I told him midnight. He didn't seem disturbed at all. Then he said, "We need a new cuckoo clock." When I asked him why, he said, "Well, last night our clock cuckooed three times, then said, "Oh, $hit," cuckooed 4 more times, cleared its throat, cuckooed another 3 times, giggled, cuckooed twice more, and then tripped over the cat and farted."

Sounds like most of us have some kind of "issue" going on right now. I went for a 4 mile run here in Watertown, NY yesterday. Outside town, there is a nice gravel trail that goes two miles one way. It even has posts every 1/4 mile (not that that helps me). I actually prefer NOT knowing how far I have run or how much I have left.

AGAIN, my knee started giving out around 2.5 miles. Greg, I think you may be right about the feet/shoes. I have some minimalist shoes and will try running in those to see if it helps. I ran in my old standby shoes because I think I need a different sock plan for the minimal shoes. Any suggestions?

I ended up icing and elevating before going to bed last night and my knee is "almost" back to normal. Of course, normal has never been fantastic with that knee, even in childhood.

I did finish the run and the day was beautiful. The scenery was great as the trail is secluded and passes a large pond with geese. Temps were in the high 50s and sunset was approaching. VERY desirable circumstances.

I plan to run the canal this weekend when I am back in Syracuse. I hope it is not paved at all.

Tell us a little about yerself and what kind of running you like to do.

fatozzig-

fart humor is always appreciated ! Thanks for the chuckle. ( Hey, what ever happened to the question of the week? )Your race schedule for next year looks great, so many interesting events you have going on out west ... esp the trail marathon. That one looks very inviting.

I was wondering what happened to JJJessee, good to hear that he's still around. I always enjoyed his posts and pics. I hope he pops in on us again soon.

I've managed to get a little walking in this week but no running. The weather has been great and the trails lovely ... here is a little slideshow from a short hike i took the other day if yer innerested . . .

Thanks for the welcome. Trails are my first choice to run but there are some days where I have to settle for dirt roads and times I have to run on pavement in order to get to the dirt roads and trails. I live in northern VT so there are plenty of trails and dirt roads to choose from. I live with my SO who runs ultras as well and I have 2 boys who keep us busy.

I did the VT50 and won the 30's age group. I'm usually finish in the middle somewhere so I'm really excited about how much I've improved this year. Next up is Stone Cat 50 where last year I got off course and did the marathon instead. So my big goal is just to stay on course and finish and if I could do it somewhere around 9 hrs (my VT50 time) then that's just an extra brownie that I can eat to celebrate at the end!

RunNY your pictures are pretty-looks a lot like parts of VT. Fatozzig your pictures of your latest run were beautiful as well. I've only been to CA a couple times-my SO ran WS in 2006 and then we went to Yosemite for a few days after and then last April the boys and I went to Northstar at Tahoe for the snowboarding nationals-I dreaded having to come back each time!

Happy Saturday, Everyone! Still no trails for me , but today was my last long run before my HM next Sunday in Monterey. I am still battling the blister issue, getting a nice one on the end of toe this morning. This is getting very frustrating, but I'm sure I'll eventually hit upon a combo of blister relief patches, blister prevention patches, lube stick, duct tape - I got it all, baby!

Just wanted to say, "Howdy!" Gotta get my transcription done so I can enjoy the rest of the weekend. Hope yours goes well.

Not much goin' on in here, huh? After this weekend, I get to go back to trail running. Yea! It'll be so much more enjoyable than the road. Although I finally smartened up on my last couple of long runs and headed out to the farmland near our home. Made for much nicer running.

I'm not sure if you guys remember me or not. I joined this little group when it first started, but I've been MIA for a few months. My trail running came to a halt in early summer when all of the trails were flooded due to the excessive rain we received. Then, about the time the trails started to dry out, I was diagnosed with a tibial stress fracture (darned pavement pounding).

Anyway, as of last Friday, I got the go-ahead to start running again, slowly incorporating bouts of running into the walking I've been doing for the past few weeks. I've been power hiking my favorite trail once a week for about a month now, and it's been all I could do to keep myself from breaking out into a run (especially on the downhills). I felt great to actually be able to run a little this past weekend.

Well, it looks like another TWO girls have been added to our group uping the coodie factor to almost unmanageable proportions. Jesse better get his butt back over here. I haven't run yet since I stopped about 2.5 weeks ago. Not sure what I'm going to do. My life is calling me to get busy on things of significance like writing and studying as opposed to running around with no where to go. Which leads me to post a question here that I may post on the ultra list as well. Question: How much of your identity is wrapped up in being a runner generally and in being a trail runner more specifically? It doesn't get any more foundational than that. Let's hear ya. Socks for minimalist shoes? Why, the least you can stand of course. I run in thin wool/poly blends, thin like a work or dress sock. Good luck with the blister thing Fattie fat fat. You could always go with sandals girlfriend. stress fracture girl-welcome back. Slow and steady. I'm at work so I can't view the pictures to comment but the little boxes with a red X in the middle look nice. Later.

Well, it looks like another TWO girls have been added to our group uping the coodie factor to almost unmanageable proportions. Jesse better get his butt back over here.

(Evil laugh) He he he he he he

quote:

Good luck with the blister thing Fattie fat fat. You could always go with sandals girlfriend.

You think my orthotics would work well in sandals? Hmmm - probably not. I have so much crap attached to those suckers now, something's gotta work. Will find out this weekend!

quote:

Question: How much of your identity is wrapped up in being a runner generally and in being a trail runner more specifically?

I would much rather be known as a trail runner. Once in awhile I don't mind hitting the road for a long run, but it gets old real quick (as it has for my training for the HM this weekend). I am very ready to be back on the trails. As far as my identity being wrapped up in any kind of running - for the first time in my life, I feel passionate about something. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would ever say, "I run," let alone, "I trail run" or "I want to be an ultra trail runner" or "I just signed up for my first trail marathon." Right now, I'm lovin' what I'm doin', and I like bragging about it. Who knew that at 40 I'd start a whole new life and adventure? It's great!

!! Looking fwd to hearing about your trail adventures .. running, powerhiking or whatever You can manage now.I do remember the photos of your flooded out trails.

fatozzig

- + AHHH - CHOOOOO - EEE ! !+ They're very cute but i'm

very

allergic ! I see now the origins of your screen name . . .nice kitties. Good Luck in yer 1/2 M this weekend, hope you enjoy and meet your goal.

quote:

Question: How much of your identity is wrapped up in being a runner generally and in being a trail runner more specifically?

Interesting topic

Gregolowe

. I must admit that i run for the pure n selfish reason that it brings me great joy. I run trails b/c they are the frosting on the cupcake. (Chocolate frosting that is !) I spend far too much time thinking about running, reading about running, planning events and actually running. I am the first to admit ... my life is definitely out of balance. However, I am too lazy to do anything about it and nothing else has been such a reliable source of pleasure !http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/smile.gif|src=http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/smile.gif|border=0!

It is only really now, being injured and unable to run, that I am acutely aware of this. But I was due some 'down time' so i'm not complaining ... just cross training so that i am still able to run when the day comes. Which will be sooooon, I hope.

As far as identity ... that's a tough one ... I dont think I pursue this as a means of identity. I dont see myself as a "real" runner anymore ... based on pace alone i wouldnt qualify ... and also the type of events i choose to participate in. I'm not really sure how others perceive me, I'd be afraid to ask ...

[http://This message has been edited by runNYtrails (edited Nov-07-2007).|http://This message has been edited by runNYtrails (edited Nov-07-2007).]

Cute cats Fatozzig. Funny, a cat showed up on our door step a week ago which in itself is amazing. We live in a rural community on a major highway for VT where the cars go zipping by at 50-60 mph. Luckily the neighbors took the cat in because the nights have been chilly.

Interesting question posed by Greg-afraid of coodies-olowe I had to think about it for a while. I'll have to be honest and admit that it's a big part of me. It's done wonders for my self-esteem, training for the Adirondack marathon in 2003 got me through my divorce and now that I've become a personal trainer it gives me more credibility in that I walk-the-walk as well as talk-the-talk. I love being in the woods and trails seem to suite me better than pavement.